Previews

Chelsea face Galatasaray in their Champions League last 16 game that will no doubt be overshadowed by Didier Drogba’s return to Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian will play at the Bridge for the first time since hitting the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, but will he return to break Chelsea hearts?

Drogba’s return will no doubt be an emotional one for Blues fans, much like Jose Mourinho’s return against Hull at the start of the season. But, in the midst of all that there is a Champions League quarter final place up for grabs. This is the most undecided tie of the round, with the first leg finishing 1-1 in Turkey. It’s not a result Chelsea can, or should, cling on to at home. They need a win.

Chelsea come in to this having lost 1-0 to Aston Villa at the weekend, a result which once again throws the destination of the Premier League title up in the air. Chelsea lead by four points from Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and they’re six points ahead of Manchester City, who have three games in hand.

A Champions League victory is exactly what is needed around Stamford Bridge to bounce back from the weekend’s defeat so Drogba’s return is hardly ideal. What should be a focused job will be interrupted by the return of a club legend. Despite that, Drogba’s return will be welcomed all round as it’s a sight few thought they’d see again, even though he’s not wearing blue.

Gala did manage to make last year’s quarter finals, going down to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, so they’re far from a walkover for the Blues. They’re on a 12 game unbeaten run, and they’ve got a proven match winner up front in Drogba. Chelsea have already lost once at home in the Champions League, a 2-1 defeat to Basel, and they’ll need to avoid another defeat if they’re to make it any further in Europe this season.

Chelsea have won 10 of their last 11 home games, and that record should go on here; Mourinho has unfinished business with the Champions League from his first spell at the club, and he knows he needs a result to get things back on track after ending the game against Villa with just nine men.

Chelsea may not be the favourites to win the Champions league but this squad, and Drogba, know that it’s not always Europe’s most talented team who are crowned kings of the continent. With two-time European Cup winner Mourinho in charge, Chelsea will be a threat for the trophy, and they should certainly do enough to progress to the next round.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 3-1

Aston Villa are Chelsea’s next opponents and with Arsenal and Liverpool not in action till the following day – and facing tough trips to Man United and Spurs respectively – the Blues have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to an impressive 10 points.

At the start of the season the teams met at Stamford Bridge and the home side narrowly won 2-1. That was a close game and the Villains could easily have nicked a draw but Mourinho’s men have improved since then and, despite this one being away from home, they will fancy they can get the win that would give them that double-digit lead with only eight games (for them) left to play.

On that day back in August it was a Branislav Ivanovic header that won the game after Christian Benteke had made the scores level following an early own goal. It was a controversial game and the visitors left west London feeling aggrieved about a number of refereeing decisions and they are sure to be looking for revenge here.

Benteke was injured shortly after that game and struggled to find form when he returned to first team action but two goals in his last game could prove to be a turning point. On his day the muscular Belgian is unplayable, his combination of pace, power and finishing making him unstoppable, but his days of greatness this season have been far too few. Moreover, Chelsea will feel that their experienced and talented defensive unit can handle him, especially as Villa’s other threats are relatively limited.

Paul Lambert’s men, who are 11th with 31 points, have scored four goals in two of their last three home games but even that still leaves them with just the 14th most potent home attack in the top flight. Allied to the 18th best defence on home soil this has produced an unimpressive set of results at Villa Park and given Chelsea have won the last four league games between the teams by an aggregate of 16-4 they will be confident of taking the three points.

The Pensioners, like their hosts, have no new injury concerns but David Luiz and Fernando Torres remain doubts. Chelsea have an important game at home against Galatasaray just three days after this so The Special One may look to use his squad but overall we feel the Blues will just have too much ability, determination and, after 11 wins and three draws in the last 14 league games, too much confidence for the home team.

Chelsea have the best away defensive record in the top flight and if they can keep Benteke quiet they can keep yet another clean sheet and get the win, with 2-0 our prediction.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-0

The latest massive match for Chelsea comes along on Saturday in the early evening kick off when Tottenham make the short trip across London. Spurs have the best away record in the Premier League, but with the Blues on a 13-game unbeaten run in the top flight and remaining unbeaten at home it is no surprise to see Jose Mourinho’s men as favourites to take the victory.

Last time out Chelsea went round the corner to struggling Fulham and came away 3-1 victors. The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story though, the Cottagers having battled well in the first half and perhaps having the better of the play. It was goalless at the break but the Blues came out for the second half with a more attacking mindset, Eden Hazard running rings around a tiring Fulham midfield and Andre Schurrle scoring an impressive hat-trick.

Spurs had to dig deep for their victory at White Hart Lane on Sunday against another struggling side, Cardiff City. The match ended 1-0 to the home side thanks to a rare Roberto Soldado goal, but the Bluebirds remained in the match right until the end and had chances to level or even nick the win. But three points is three points and Spurs boss Tim Sherwood will be happy to focus on the Chelsea game and is likely to be optimistic of his side’s chances of getting at least a point.

When the sides met at the Lane in September the match ended 1-1, Gylfi Sigurdsson scoring for the home side in the first half but John Terry levelling for the visitors in the second. Five of the last seven league matches between them have ended all-square and we wouldn’t be surprised to see another draw on Saturday as the Blues take few risks due to Tottenham’s ability to hit teams on the break.

Much will depend on the two sides’ ability to convert any chances they are able to create. Chelsea’s strikers continue to misfire but in Emmanuel Adebayor Spurs have a prolific goalscorer who is high on confidence and playing very well. But Chelsea’s midfield goal threat is potent enough for them to get on the scoresheet and we think overall the home side will edge this one.

Mourinho’s men are currently on 63 points from their 28 games, four points clear of second place Liverpool and third place Arsenal (both of whom have played the same number of games) and six ahead of Manchester City, though the League Cup winners have two games in hand.

With just 10 league matches remaining for both Chelsea and Spurs, we are certainly getting towards the business end of the season, and though Sherwood’s team might have to go for broke a little if they are to close the gap on the sides above them, ultimately we think the Blues will have the tactical nous and experience to get another win under their belts as they get ever-closer to another Premier League crown.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-1

Fulham host Chelsea in a west London derby that both sides will be desperate to win for very different reasons. The Cottagers are adrift at the bottom of the table whilst the Blues are clear at the top and whilst there is a huge 39 points between the teams, this game could be a lot closer than the table suggests.

Fulham are on their third manager of the campaign, with former Bayern Munich boss and German international Felix Magath now at the helm following Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen. Magath is well known for being a tough disciplinarian who places a lot of emphasis on fitness and organisation, earning him the nickname “Saddam” and leading one former player to call him the “last dictator in Europe”.

If the players buy in to his methods he could be just what Fulham need but if they don’t he could be a total disaster. In his last job he led Wolfsburg to survival from a difficult position and that is exactly what is needed here with Fulham four points away from West Brom in 17th. Magath began life at Fulham with a 1-1 draw at the Baggies but could have won the game as his side led until the 86th minute. Fulham would have been fortunate to get the win but there were signs, even after just a few days in charge, that the German was reshaping the side into a much more workmanlike and disciplined outfit and that could make them hard for the Pensioners to breakdown.

Of course, unpicking the defences of sides set out to defend against them – or play 19th century football if you prefer Jose’s vernacular – has been a problem for Chelsea all season. They lack a top notch striker and, despite their wealth of creative talents in the attacking midfield areas, they do not create enough clear cut chances. With the home side certain to defend in numbers and work exceptionally hard off the ball there is every danger that Jose Mourinho’s men could slip up here, giving Arsenal a chance to return to the top of the Premier League.

The visitors will not have been helped by the fact that they had a game away at Galatasaray on Wednesday either. It was a tough match and the 1-1 draw again demonstrated Chelsea’s occasional lack of cutting edge. Mourinho has no new injury concerns from the game though and David Luiz remains the only doubt, whilst the Cottagers are in a similar position in terms of their squad.

Back in September Chelsea won 2-0 at the Bridge whilst they won the corresponding fixture last season 3-0. The four games before that, two each at either ground, ended in 1-1 or 0-0 draws and we fancy this one will be similarly close, or perhaps settled by a single goal. It really is a tough one to call but spring is in the air and we’re feeling optimistic so 1-0 to the Blues it is!

LCN Verdict: 1-0 to Chelsea

Chelsea edged to a 1-0 victory over Everton at the weekend to stay in pole position in the race for the Premier League title, but it will be the Champions League that is their main priority in midweek when they travel to Turkey to play Galatasaray. The Istanbul-based side are managed by former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and they have a striker who might just be recognised by the Blues faithful… a certain Didier Drogba. It promises to be quite an occasion!

Chelsea progressed to the knockout stage of Europe’s premier club competition by topping Group E ahead of Schalke, Basel and Steaua Bucharest, but they didn’t have it all their own way, losing home and away to Swiss side Basel. Having said that, Jose Mourinho’s men conceded only three goals from their six group matches (the joint best defensive record of all the teams in the competition, alongside Atletico Madrid and – perhaps surprisingly – Manchester United); and having won their other four matches they were worthy of their finishing position at the top of the group.

Mancini’s Galatasaray, meanwhile, did well to progress to the Round of 16 given they were drawn in a very tough group along with Real Madrid and Juventus (and Copenhagen, but they are hardly in the same class as the other two). Things started badly for the Turks as they were hammered 6-1 at home by Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo showing his supreme ability with a fine hat-trick. Galatasaray got into their rhythm soon after, though, with a well-deserved 2-2 draw in Turin against Juve and a home win over Copenhagen. Away defeats to the Danes and Real followed before the all-important home win for Mancini’s men against Juve in their final group game, allowing them to sneak through, just a point ahead of the Serie A leaders.

Chelsea are massive favourites with the bookies to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and over two legs we would agree they should have more than enough to triumph. But we feel they won’t have things all their own way in Istanbul, the atmosphere and perhaps an air of superiority conspiring to lessen Chelsea’s effectiveness. Drogba will be more than eager to score against his former employers and given the Blues have never really replaced the burly striker in terms of attacking potency, there is always a chance the home side could nick this one 1-0.

Having said that, Mourinho has been around the European block more than a few times and he will know exactly what to expect. We fancy he’ll set up in such as way as to push hard for the away goal while also attempting to keep things relatively tight. With John Terry fit again, he and Gary Cahill are sure to relish the challenge of nullifying Drogba’s threat and it will almost certainly be a relatively low-scoring game.

Overall we suspect both managers would be reasonably happy with a draw and if the Blues get the away goal in the process they’ll be in the driving seat for the return leg at the bridge. So our prediction is for the match to end 1-1 to leave the tie alive but Chelsea as the favourites to progress.

LCN Verdict: Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea

Chelsea are top of the Premier League and whilst they were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend they are still competing on two fronts and in with a great chance of success in the league or Champions League. However, with Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool maintaining a relentless pace just behind them they simply have to keep winning if they are to end the season as a prize-winning thoroughbred rather than a show pony or also ran. So, on to the runners and riders here…

Everton, with Roberto Martinez in the saddle… okay, we’ll stop the horse metaphors now, but Jose started it and if it’s good enough for the Special One, well, it’s good enough for us here at LCN! Anyway, Everton, managed by the likeable Martinez, are having a solid season and progressed to the FA Cup quarters at the weekend with a 3-1 home win over Swansea. They weren’t at their best though, and having lost two of their last three in the league – away at Spurs and Liverpool – they will be keen to bounce back and get three more points in the league.

Of course, the Pensioners too will be keen to get a win under their belts after the 2-0 FA Cup defeat at City and the 1-1 draw at West Brom in the league prior to that. Moreover, Mourinho and co will want some revenge after their 1-0 loss at Goodison Park back in September when Steven Naismith’s goal was enough to see the Toffees take the spoils. Chelsea were a tad unlucky that day, dominating possession and having twice as many shots as their opponents (though, symptomatic of how their season has developed, the same number on target – just five from 22) but at this stage of the campaign hard luck stories don’t matter, only points.

In terms of points these sides have been very evenly matched and, in fact, in the last 14 league games between them the record is even, with four wins each and six draws. Almost all of those wins have been by a single goal and so we can be relatively confident this game will be another close affair. The recent head to head record is littered with 0-0s and 1-1s and given Chelsea have the best defence in the top flight and Everton the division’s third best, this one seems unlikely to be a goalfest.

Romelu Lukaku, the best striker that the home side don’t have at their disposal after loaning him out to the Toffees, may be fit for Everton but will not be allowed to play against his parent club. This means that neither side will have a top notch striker, in form, confident and likely to register. Both offer a good threat from midfield though and it is Chelsea’s superiority here and, of course, home advantage, that lead us to believe they will just about do enough to get the result. Another clean sheet for Petr Cech and co and perfect revenge for the reverse fixture are the order of the day here.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 1-0

One of two huge FA Cup ties in the fifth round, Chelsea’s visit to Man City, is Saturday’s biggest game and is live on ITV1 for UK viewers. It’s sure to be an enthralling match and with City still smarting from their recent home defeat in the Premier League they are certain to be out for revenge. Read on for our preview and analysis of this exciting fixture.

The teams played each other on the 3rd February and amid predictions that Jose Mourinho would “park the bus” and play for a draw against a then seemingly unstoppable City, the Pensioners played superbly and got the win. It was 1-0 but though the home side had the lion’s share of possession, Mourinho’s men thrice hit the woodwork and executed their counter attacking plan superbly.

Since then the Citizens have stumbled, drawing 0-0 at Norwich and dropping further off the title pace when their game with Sunderland was postponed on Wednesday due to the bad weather. To some extent both teams will be glad to put the pressure of the league behind them here and we could see an open, attacking game, as indeed we did at the start of the month.

City are clearly missing Sergio Aguero and, good as Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo are, it is the Argentine who brings real X factor to the squad. However, they are unlikely to stutter for long and one has to consider their overall home record when assessing this game. The loss to Chelsea was their first home defeat of the campaign and only their fifth since the 2009-2010 campaign in the league. They are formidable at the Etihad and just because Chelsea have managed to win their once (as well as winning the league clash at the Bridge earlier in the season) it does not mean it will be easy second time round.

Though Mourinho holds a very good record against City’s Chilean boss Manuel Pellegrini from their days in Spain, the wily former Malaga boss will have learned from the most recent contest and his tactics are sure to be subtly different this time around. Of course, that could lead to a more muted affair, with neither side keen to overexpose themselves but we think with the shackles of the Premier League off, as the game wears on it is certain to come to life.

There is just too much quality on show for goals not to be scored and once either side breaks the deadlock the other will be forced into action. Overall we think that home advantage will be crucial, although with City facing Barcelona shortly after this game (the Blues’ Champions League campaign does not resume until the 26th) Pellegrini may well be tempted to rest key players. However, City’s second string managed to win at Bayern Munich and so must not be underestimated and, sadly, we think Chelsea’s FA Cup campaign ends here.

LCN Verdict: Manchester City 2 – 1 Chelsea

Chelsea are flying high at the top of the Premier League table after their 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday and their crucial 1-0 triumph over title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad last Monday. But Jose Mourinho knows his side cannot afford to rest on their laurels if they are to maintain their challenge at the top, and this is just the sort of tricky fixture that could be their undoing if they are not as professional and determined as they were against Man City.

The added spice that is sprinkled on this fixture comes from the fact that West Brom were very unlucky not to have taken victory when they visited Stamford Bridge in November. The Baggies – then managed by Steve Clarke – were barely a minute away from the three points before a highly contentious penalty was awarded to the home side after Steven Reid was adjudged to have brought down Ramires in the area – a decision that looked wholly incorrect when viewed on the replays.

West Brom are now managed by former Real Betis boss Pepe Mel and the Spaniard will be hoping he can catch the Blues on an off day given the increasingly desperate plight in which his side find themselves. The Baggies are currently in 18th place, just three points ahead of bottom club Fulham but only a point behind Sunderland who occupy that all-important 17th spot. But with only one win from their last 15 in the league, the omens do not look great for Mel’s men.

Having said that, they really haven’t done too badly against Chelsea in recent years; as well as almost beating them at the Bridge in November, the Baggies won on each of the last two occasions they have played the Blues at the Hawthorns, 2-1 in November 2012 and 1-0 in March of the same year. Chelsea have also lost three league matches on the road this term, against Everton, Newcastle and Stoke, and haven’t always found their feet when venturing out of the capital.

Of course, the Blues’ 1-0 victory at Man City last week will give them great confidence of getting the necessary results when playing away, and given they have lost just once in the last 15 we believe there is only one winner likely to emerge from this one. Eden Hazard is the most effective and dangerous midfielder in the Premier League at present and with Willian, Oscar and others offering excellent support, we can’t see how West Brom will be able to avoid defeat on Tuesday. There is some hope drawn from 1-1 draws against Everton and Liverpool in their last two home matches, but we think the Blues have the bit between their teeth at the moment and that they will do enough to get the win… but they’ll certainly have to work for it.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 3-1

Chelsea surprised many – including us – on Monday night when they were not only the first team this season to avoid defeat at the Etihad (in the Premier League), but they actually beat Manuel Pellegrini’s men! Branislav Ivanovic’s first half strike was ultimately enough to separate the sides and despite it being an open game with plenty of chances, it ended 1-0 to the visitors.

Jose Mourinho can take much credit for how he set his side up; instead of “parking the bus” as many assumed he might, his men took the game to City from the opening whistle. Chelsea defended in numbers when they had to, but always gave themselves the option to counter, which they did successfully on a number of occasions against a City side who simply didn’t put in as much legwork as their opponents on the night.

The victory moves Chelsea level on points with City and two behind leaders Arsenal (who have 55). Despite Mourinho suggesting his side are the third favourites for the title, the fact that the Blues have done the league double over City is highly significant and could well give them the impetus to kick on towards Premier League glory.

There will be many tough obstacles to negotiate between now and May, however, starting with a potentially difficult home match against Alan Pardew’s Newcastle on Saturday. Not only did the Magpies beat Chelsea 2-0 at St James’ Park in November, they won by the same scoreline at Stamford Bridge in 2012. Chelsea beat them in London last year, but it is clear that – on their day – Newcastle can mix it with the big boys. Having said that, a morale-sapping 3-0 home defeat to arch rivals Sunderland and the sale of probably their best player – Yohan Cabaye – during the January transfer window doesn’t make for great preparation for this one.

Newcastle have been effective on the road this season (in stark contrast to last term when they won just twice on their travels). With six away victories under their belts – including triumphs over Manchester United and Tottenham – and their home win over Chelsea we think the visitors will certainly give it a go at the Bridge. But the confidence and belief fostered by their massive win on Monday will mean Chelsea simply won’t let themselves slip up and undo much of the good work.

As such we think Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard will do their stuff here and run rings around Newcastle’s midfield and defence (as Sunderland did to such great effect last weekend). While there is a slim chance Newcastle could upset the applecart if they get an early goal, we simply can’t see it happening and think Mourinho will mastermind another victory as he tries to guide his team towards the title (even if he denies they are capable of such a feat!).

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-0

Chelsea fans will have to wait until Monday for their football fix this “weekend” but the wait will be well worth it with a huge Monday night game against current league leaders Man City in store. It will be a major test for Jose Mourinho and his side and whilst the Special One will do everything he can to ensure his side are free to play without fear or pressure, few Blues would deny that a point would be a satisfactory outcome.

The two teams both played on Wednesday and whilst City thrashed Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane, the Pensioners were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against West Ham. Given the Hammers had conceded 17 goals in their last five matches and Chelsea appeared to be hitting decent form the result was a surprise. Although the home side had 39 shots compared to just one for the visitors, there were relatively few clear cut chances and just nine shots on target.

Mourinho’s side will clearly have to improve here against the current Premier League leaders and title favourites. Improve they will but whether it will be enough against such a powerful attacking force remains to be seen. The Citizens look very well set to break Chelsea’s Premier League goals record set in 2009-2010 when they notched 103. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have got 68 already and if they continue at this pace will finish with around 112 but given their scoring seems to increase week by week that tally could go even higher. City have won their last eight in the league and 11 of the last 12, as well as boasting a 100% home league record this season.

Given Chelsea have hardly set the world alight on their travels this term it is very difficult to see anything other than a home win. Man City have beaten the Blues the last four times they have met in the north west but if there is some possibility for optimism it must come from the fact that prior to that Chelsea had won a staggering 10 of the 12 previous meetings there, losing just one. Of course, this crop of City players is arguably better than anything in the last four seasons, let alone the ones before that but given how powerful the Citizens look right now, straws may have to be clutched whenever they are seen!

Mourinho’s developing team have managed just five league wins away from Stamford Bridge this season and only the 3-0 win at Southampton was against a side in the top half of the table. They have travelled to five top eight sides, losing at Newcastle and Everton (as well as at 16th placed Stoke) and drawing at Arsenal, Man United and Spurs.

Those draws and the defensive tactics that underpinned them may offer some hope but, even if Sergio Aguero is missing for the home side, they just look too powerful at the moment and unfortunately we think it will be a long journey south for any travelling Chelsea fans.

LCN Verdict: Man City to win 3-0